Snow dolly and all-purpose shovel plow

ABSTRACT

A snow removal device has a body, a shovel connected to the body and positioned at a lower end of the body, a snow catcher connected to the body, and one or more motive elements. The snow catcher is positioned behind the shovel such that when the shovel is tilted back, loose material in the shovel falls into the snow catcher. When the body is tilted back, the shovel also tilts back. The body acts as a lever arm on the shovel, allowing heavy loads to be tilted back with minimal force. A foot pedal facilitates pushing the shovel into loose material. The angle between the body and shovel is 120 degrees. The body is collapsible. The snow catcher has an outer lip and the shovel has sidewalls for retaining loose material. One or more of the motive elements serves as a pivot point for the snow removal device.

This application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/310,701, filed on Mar. 4, 2010entitled SNOW DOLLY, by inventor Richard Yancheski, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the fields of snow removaland garden tools.

Snow shovels and snow blowers are the standard equipment used to removesnow both residentially and commercially. Use of a snow shovel entailssignificant physical exertion, both aerobic exercise and weight-lifting.Weight lifting can raise blood pressure and rapidly increase the load onthe heart. In cold weather, arteries and blood vessels constrict,reducing blood supply when the load on the heart is high. Hormonesreleased during cold weather and exercise can cause arterial plaques torupture, causing blood clots and heart attacks. Each year, severalhundred people experience a heart attack while shoveling snow. Deathsfrom heart disease increase 22% in the week following a snowstorm.

Muscle and spinal injuries are extremely common. More than 70,000 peopleended up with a shoveling-related injury bad enough to trigger adoctor's visit in 2008. A quarter of those people visited an emergencyroom, and about 900 were admitted to a hospital. Lower back and shoulderstrains, herniated disks, and fractures from falls are the most commonsnow shoveling injuries.

Needless to say, many elderly or disabled people are unable to use snowshovels because the physical effort required is simply too great.Demographics are shifting towards a more elderly population,particularly in developed countries. Clearing snow using known methodsis a serious challenge for these populations.

Snow blowers are an alternative to snow shovels. However, snow blowersare quite expensive, ranging from a few hundred dollars forpersonal/residential models to a thousand dollars and up for commercialsnow blowers. They typically utilize gas powered engines, which emithigh levels of pollutants and potentially dangerous fumes. They requireoil and regular maintenance because of the large number of moving parts.Used oil must be disposed of properly to avoid environmentalcontamination. The moving parts can strike a body part, causing injury,or another obstacle, causing damage to the machine. Repair andmaintenance increase costs to the user. Especially for larger models,the high weight of these machines makes use very difficult for thedisabled or elderly, and on steps or other areas where the machines arecumbersome to maneuver.

Needs exist for improved tools for removing snow.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following summary and the detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to providefurther explanation of the invention as claimed. Neither the summary northe description that follows is intended to define or limit the scope ofthe invention to the particular features mentioned in the summary or inthe description.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed embodiments may include one ormore of the features described herein.

A new snow removal device and all-purpose shovel plow has a body, ashovel connected to the body and positioned at a lower end of the body,a snow catcher connected to the body, and one or more motive elementsselected from the group consisting of wheels, rollers, treads, andslides. The snow catcher is positioned behind the shovel such that whenthe shovel is tilted back, loose material transfers from the shovel tothe snow catcher.

The shovel is positioned such that when the body is tilted back, theshovel also tilts back, allowing loose material to spill from the shovelinto the snow catcher. A handle is positioned at a top end of the body.The body acts as a lever arm on the shovel, allowing a heavy load to betilted back in the shovel when the handle is tilted back with littleforce from the user.

A foot pedal connected to the body facilitates pushing the shovel intoloose material. In one embodiment, the motive elements comprise ofwheels. The angle between the body and shovel is 120 degrees. The bodyis partially or completely collapsible. The snow catcher is equippedwith an outer lip that retains loose material within the snow catcher.The shovel has sidewalls for retaining loose material within the shovelbefore the loose material is transferred to the snow catcher. One ormore of the motive elements serves as a pivot point when the snowremoval device is placed on the ground in operating position.

In a new snow removal device method, a shovel is positioned at a shovelposition at a lower end of a body, and is connected to the body. A snowcatcher is positioned behind the shovel position, and is connected tothe body. One or more motive elements selected from the group consistingof wheels, rollers, treads, and slides are connected to the body. Thesnow catcher is positioned such that when the shovel is tilted back,loose material in the shovel transfers from the shovel to the snowcatcher.

These and other objectives and features of the invention are apparent inthe disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing writtenspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, togetherwith the description, further serve to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art to make and use these embodiments and others that will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1A is a front view diagram of an embodiment of a shovel and snowcatcher.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view diagram of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of an embodiment of a snow removal device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice.

FIG. 4 is a front elevated view of a snow removal device with the shovelportion flipped upwards.

FIG. 5 is a side elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice.

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of a foot pedal for an embodiment of asnow removal device.

FIG. 7 is a side elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A snow removal device will now be disclosed in terms of variousexemplary embodiments. This specification discloses one or moreembodiments that incorporate features of the invention. Theembodiment(s) described, and references in the specification to “oneembodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicatethat the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Such phrases are not necessarily referringto the same embodiment. When a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, personsskilled in the art may affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

In the several figures, like reference numerals may be used for likeelements having like functions even in different drawings. The figuresare not to scale. The embodiments described, and their detailedconstruction and elements, are merely provided to assist in acomprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent thatthe present invention can be carried out in a variety of ways, and doesnot require any of the specific features described herein. Also,well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail sincethey would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail.

A new green technology snow removal device requires no lifting, minimalexercise, and very minimal back or muscle movements to operate. It issimilar in overall appearance to a standard dolly (e.g., furniture/boxtransportation), but attached to the front of the snow removal device isan exceptionally well-developed shovel. The shovel is positioned at agreater than 90 degree angle to the body of the snow removal device. Inone embodiment, this angle is about 120 degrees. This makes it easier topush the device forward while maintaining contact between the base andthe ground for snow removal applications because the angle between theshovel and the body of the snow removal device creates the effect of alever. In one embodiment, there is a hinge between the shovel and thebody of the snow removal device, allowing a user to set the desiredangle. A larger angle makes pushing easier, but may require bending overfor taller individuals. A locking device similar to those used on lawnmower wheels for height settings is used to maintain the desired angle.

The shovel is wide and flat to the ground like a blade and tapers offinto snow catcher, in one embodiment a circular disc with a rim. Theshovel and snow catcher are attached to the body of a snow removaldevice. The shovel and snow catcher are attached to the body bysoldering or welding. In one embodiment, the snow removal device is madeof a durable, lightweight material such as aluminum. The snow removaldevice has large wheels, allowing the person using the snow removaldevice to easily push the shovel into the snow. Any combination ofwheels, rollers, treads, slides, or similar means for movement could beused. Once the snow removal device is into the snow the user pushes downonto the body of the snow removal device to let the snow be lifted andit automatically drops into the snow catcher. Because of the large leverarm of the snow removal device and the high handle, this action requireslittle effort or bending, even for deep snow. Standard dollies are usedto easily transport heavy furniture, such as refrigerators, making snowtransport trivial for a snow removal device utilizing a similarstructure.

The next step for the user is to wheel the snow removal device away towhere the user would like to move the snow. With a simple twist of thesnow removal device, the snow falls right out where the user wants it.The snow catcher works like a wheel barrel in that it easily allows theuser to remove the snow with minimal exercise of the back, arms, neck,etc.

The new snow removal device replaces the need for snow blowers and cutsdown on the pollution caused by small engines. The deeper the snow, thebetter it works. The cost of the new snow removal device is under 100dollars, thus saving consumers thousands on unneeded, bulky snowblowers.

In one embodiment, the snow removal device can be folded for easystorage and even fit into the trunk of a car. The body of the snowremoval device and handle of the snow removal device fold down. This canbe accomplished in a manner similar to a typical lawnmower, with a hingeor pivot point on the body of the snow removal device that can be lockedin place with a knob that turns to loosen or tighten the connection. Inan alternative embodiment, the body of the snow removal device collapsesin a telescoping fashion, similar to that of luggage handles. However,the body of the snow removal device must remain sturdy enough to bearthe weight of the loose material being carried. In one embodiment thereis a foot pedal on the back of the snow removal device to make it easyfor the user to push the snow removal device into the snow.

The snow removal device is ideal for any business or government sidewalkclearing as well as car clearing. The device provides the elderly,disabled, and people with back problems the opportunity to clear theirvehicles in case there is an emergency, such as needing to pick up theirmedications, going to the hospital, or getting stuck in the snow onwhile driving. Almost anyone can use this device at a time of need.Because it has no motor, users do not have to go to the gas station andget gas for the snow removal device. Users can use it immediately duringa storm and clear their driveways without over exerting themselves. Thissnow removal device revolutionizes the way snow is shoveled and willreduce the number of emergency room visits from people injuring theirbacks and necks lifting and twisting while removing snow.

Additionally, this snow removal device is useful to the number of peoplewho simply hate shoveling snow. The device is essential for workers whoshovel snow as part of their job to prevent back injuries at work. Thedevice is useful for government, private organizations, public sidewalkclearing, schools, and any place that needs its snow removed.

The snow removal device is a convenient and versatile tool. It has manyuses other than snow removal, for example it can be used as a gardentool. The snow removal device can be used as a wheel barrel and graveland mulch spreader. Using the same principles as for snow removal, thesnow removal device can be used to easily scoop up large quantities ofany relatively loose material, transport it to a desired location, anddeposit it without excessive exertion or wear and tear on the back orother muscles.

The snow removal device serves as a better wheel barrel than aconventional wheel barrel, particularly in embodiments where it uses twotires and is therefore designed better for use in the yard. The weightis more easily distributed so that it is easier to push or pull aroundrough terrain. The snow removal device is excellent for cleaning up yardleaves. The user can fill snow catcher with leaves, wheel the snowremoval device to a compost pile or other location, and, with a twist ofthe wrist, dump the leaves. While pulling weeds, a user can lay the snowremoval device down, sit on the body, drape a bag over the snow catcherand deposit the weeds into the bag, tie the bag, and haul it to thetrash collection area. It is not necessary to pick up the bag of weeds.

Furthermore, the snow removal device works well as a mulch or gravelspreader. A bag of mulch or gravel may be placed in the snow catcher,and wheeled to where the gravel or mulch is to be placed. The user canthen cut the bottom of the bag, tilt the snow removal device in anupward position, and allow the gravel or mulch to go down through theshovel for spreading.

In an exemplary embodiment, the shovel on the front of the snow removaldevice is 16″ wide at its forward edge and flat to the ground like ablade. The bottom cross section of the shovel is roughly trapezoidal inshape, with 16″ sides tapering back towards the snow catcher. The shovelis like a flat blade on the first inch of the forward edge, and thenside walls appear on the shovel, rising from about a quarter of an inchhigh towards the front to two inches high at the back, matching thedepth of the snow catcher. The sides on the shovel act like a guide orslide to keep the snow directed into the snow catcher. In otherembodiments, the sides of the shovel are an even 1″ high or 2″ high. Thesnow catcher is a 24″ circular disc with a 2″ high lip, providing a 2″deep snow catching area. The snow removal device body is about 46″ longfor high leverage and ease of standing use. The wheels are 10-12″ indiameter so that the snow removal device can easily be pushed into thesnow. The snow removal device body is at a 120 degree angle with theshovel. In an alternative embodiment, the shovel is 20″ wide at itsforward edge.

A simple embodiment of a snow removal device can be constructed byattaching a shovel, for example formed by sheet metal, to the base of astandard device and fixing a trashcan lid or similar to the back of thesnow removal device behind the shovel by welding or a simple attachmentmechanism, such as bungee cords.

FIG. 1A is a front view diagram of a shovel 3 and snow catcher 5. Snowcatcher 5 is connected to shovel 3 and has a lip 15 for retaining snow.Shovel 3 has sides 13 for retaining snow.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view diagram of a snow removal device. The snowcatcher 5 and shovel 3 are attached to a body 7. Further attached tobody 7 is a handle 9. The wheels 11 are attached to the snow catcher 5and body 7. The body 7 is at about a 120 degree angle 17 with the groundand shovel 3. Also attached to the body 7 is a foot pedal 1.

FIG. 2 is a top view diagram of a snow removal device.

FIG. 3 is a front elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice. Dolly body 301 has hook 319 for carrying pails or other itemsand stand 317 for resting on a horizontal surface in an elevatedposition and is connected to shovel portion 305. Shovel portion 305 hasraised sides 307 to keep snow or other loose material in the shovelportion 305 and is attached to lifting bar 313 with stabilizing bar 309and fasteners 311. Wheels 315 transport the device.

FIG. 4 is a front elevated view of a snow removal device with the shovelportion 405 flipped upwards. In this view, the attachment of the shovelportion 405 to the dolly foot 421 can be seen. Pivot bar 425 connects tothe dolly foot 421 at edges 423. The pivot bar 425 is mounted throughcradles 426 of the shovel portion 405, allowing the shovel portion torotate about the pivot bar 425 while being secured to the dolly foot421.

FIG. 5 is a side elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice. Here, the rear foot pedal 527 can be seen, and in this figure isbeing actuated by a user's foot 529, flipping the shovel portion 505towards the snow catcher 503. In this figures, the pedal is partiallydepressed, and therefore the shovel portion 505 partially raised. Fullydepressing the pedal 527 flips the shovel portion 505 vertical, flippingany load carried in the shovel portion 505 into the catcher 503.

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of a foot pedal for an embodiment of asnow removal device. The pedal portion 631 of foot pedal 627, which wasobscured by the user's foot in FIG. 5, is shown. The foot pedal connectsto the lifting bar 513, which is connected to the shovel portion,through gap 630 in the catcher plate/snow catcher 603, using a simplecam device to flip the shovel portion upward and into the catcher plate603 when the pedal 631 is depressed.

FIG. 7 is a side elevated view of an embodiment of a snow removaldevice. Here, stationary foot pedal 733 is shown, which is a good placefor a user to push its foot against to dig the shovel portion into snowor other material.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments describedabove in detail. Those skilled in the art will recognize that otherarrangements could be devised, for example, various shapes and sizes ofshovel, snow catcher, wheels, and dolly/body. While the invention hasbeen described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments,modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A snow removal device, comprising: a body, a shovelconnected to the body and positioned at a lower end of the body, a snowcatcher connected to the body, and one or more motive elements selectedfrom the group consisting of wheels, rollers, treads, and slides,wherein the snow catcher is positioned behind the shovel such that whenthe shovel is tilted back, loose material in the shovel falls into thesnow catcher.
 2. The snow removal device of claim 1, wherein the shovelis positioned such that when the body is tilted back, the shoveltransfers loose material from the shovel to the snow catcher.
 3. Thesnow removal device of claim 1, further comprising a handle positionedat a top end of the body, wherein the body acts as a lever arm on theshovel, allowing a heavy load to be tilted back in the shovel when thehandle is tilted back with little force.
 4. The snow removal device ofclaim 1, further comprising a foot pedal connected to the body tofacilitate pushing the shovel into loose material.
 5. The snow removaldevice of claim 1, wherein the motive elements comprise wheels.
 6. Thesnow removal device of claim 1, wherein the angle between the body andshovel is 120 degrees.
 7. The snow removal device of claim 1, whereinthe body is partially or completely collapsible.
 8. The snow removaldevice of claim 1, wherein the snow catcher further comprises an outerlip for retaining loose material within it.
 9. The snow removal deviceof claim 1, wherein the shovel further comprises side walls forretaining loose material.
 10. The snow removal device of claim 1,wherein one or more of the motive elements serves as a pivot point whenthe snow removal device is placed on the ground in operating position.11. The snow removal device of claim 1, wherein the shovel is a circulardisc.
 12. The snow removal device of claim 1, wherein the shovel is 16inches wide.
 13. The snow removal device of claim 1, wherein the body ismade of aluminum.
 14. The snow removal device of claim 1, furthercomprising an adjustable locking hinge, wherein the hinge allows foradjustment of the angle between the body and the shovel.
 15. The snowremoval device of claim 1, wherein the body is 46 inches long.
 16. Thesnow removal device of claim 1, wherein the snow catcher is a 24 inchcircular disc.
 17. The snow removal device of claim 5, wherein thewheels are 12 inches in diameter.
 18. A snow removal device, comprising:a body, a shovel connected to the body and positioned at a lower end ofthe body, a snow catcher connected to the body, one or more wheels, afoot pedal connected to the body to facilitate pushing the shovel intoloose material, and a handle is positioned at a top end of the body,wherein the snow catcher is positioned behind the shovel such that whenthe shovel is tilted back, loose material in the shovel falls into thesnow catcher, wherein the shovel is positioned such that when the bodyis tilted back, the shovel also tilts back, allowing loose material totransfer from the shovel into the snow catcher, wherein the body acts asa lever arm on the shovel, allowing a heavy load to be tilted back inthe shovel when the handle is tilted back with little force, wherein theangle between the body and snow shovel is 120 degrees, wherein the bodyis partially or completely collapsible, wherein the snow catcher has anouter lip for retaining loose material within it, wherein the shovel hasside walls for retaining loose material, wherein the wheels serve as apivot point when the snow removal device is placed on the ground inoperating position, wherein the shovel is a circular disc, wherein thebody is made of aluminum, wherein the snow catcher is a circular disc.19. A snow removal device method, comprising: positioning a shovel at ashovel position at a lower end of a body, connecting the shovel to thebody, positioning a snow catcher behind the shovel position, connectingthe snow catcher to the body, and connecting one or more motive elementsselected from the group consisting of wheels, rollers, treads, andslides to the body, wherein the snow catcher is positioned such thatwhen the shovel is tilted back, loose material in the shovel falls intothe snow catcher.